Bringing It Home

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Extols the many benefits of industrial hemp for the environment and human health, while revealing the obstacles to what could be a thriving industry for U.S. farmers.

Industrial Hemp is making headlines in American media with the recent Farm Bill amendment allowing hemp research crops in ten states. But why does Federal policy still classify and confuse this non-psychoactive plant with marijuana as a drug? BRINGING IT HOME tells the story of hemp's past, present and future through interviews with global hemp business leaders and entrepreneurs, archive images, animation and footage filmed in Europe and the United States.

The film features the designer of 'America's First Hemp House' and his quest to find the healthiest building material available to construct a safe environment for his daughter with chemical sensitivities. He discovers non-toxic, carbon neutral hempcrete that is recyclable, pest-fire-mold-resistant and cuts energy bills in half. But the major drawback for U.S. builders is that the fiber for hempcrete must be imported. Current U.S. Federal policy does not distinguish hemp from its psychoactive plant cousin marijuana, despite a long history of hemp farming in America up until the 1940s.

BRINGING IT HOME follows the hemp trail to the U.K. where business owners, researchers, farmers and Kevin McCloud, TV host of Grand Designs, discuss industrial hemp use in their country. Also featured are interviews with CEOs of million dollar U.S. companies that are importing hemp for healthy, sustainable products, and those working for policy change at the state and federal levels. A lobbyist for the CA Narcotics Officers Association gives voice to the opposition.

BRINGING IT HOME makes the case for all the benefits of a misunderstood plant that will leave viewers wondering: why aren't we growing it here?

'Bringing it Home offers a straightforward, balanced view of the key concepts about the industrial hemp plant, and dispels concerns about its links to the drug marijuana. The filmmakers clearly set out the thermal, environmental, financial, and health benefits that hempcrete brings, compared to conventional building materials. A range of other uses of hemp are explored, as are the benefits of hemp cultivation to farming, ecology and economies across the globe...The timing of this documentary is perfect; the USA currently lags behind the rest of the world by refusing to allow the cultivation of this remarkable plant...Bringing It Home is not just an informative film, but a very important one.' Alex Sparrow, Director of Hemp-LimeConstruct, Co-author of The Hempcrete Book: Designing and Building with Hemp-lime

'Bringing it Home exposes the viewer to industrial hemp production in other industrialized economies while educating them regarding the growing demand for hemp products at home in the US. After viewing the film one cannot help but become excited about the economic benefits the US would obtain by allowing the production of industrial hemp. Let's let people pull themselves up by their own hemp straps! ' Dr. Brian Strow, Associate Professor of Economics, Western Kentucky University

'With a growing number of states now allowing industrial hemp and the federal Farm Bill authorizing hemp research, Bringing It Home is one of the most valuable and compelling pieces of information out in the public eye that explains how important it is for America to return to the era of sustainable hemp cultivation to support our farms, enrich our economy and provide the necessities of food, clothing and housing for our children and their progeny. It might offer our best hope for saving both the environment and the economy. I highly recommend that everyone take the time to watch this video.' Chris Conrad, Author, Hemp: Lifeline to the Future and Hemp for Health, Founder, Business Alliance for Commerce in Hemp

'A brilliantly executed documentary that weaves a touching narrative extolling the many benefits of industrial hemp for the environment and human health, while illuminating the obstacles to what could be a thriving industry for U.S. farmers to tap into.' Eric Steenstra, President of Vote Hemp, Executive Director of Hemp Industries Association

'Bringing it Home is comprehensive, full of information about hemp products and makes a strong case why we should start growing industrial hemp. This is an extremely well done documentary with very good educational value. I hope the government policy changes in the near future. If Europe and Canada can do (or control) it, there is no reason why US cannot.' Anil Netravali, Professor of Fiber Science, Cornell University

'As hosts to the first pilot hemp trial for soil bioremediation in the state of Kentucky, we at the University of Louisville were thrilled to be able to present a screening of the intelligent and engaging documentary Bringing It Home on campus. The film and its director, Linda Booker, were exactly what we needed to help our community understand the broad potential of hemp as a sustainable crop that can help not only meet our fiber and food needs, but can help heal our bodies and our soils.' Justin Mog, Assistant to the Provost for Sustainability Initiatives, University of Louisville

'Looking to the future, Bringing It Home examines the many ways in which hemp could contribute to a more robust American economy, if only prevailing attitudes and laws about it changed. Could such a transformation be underway? Highly recommended especially for public library collections, Bringing It Home should be required viewing for anyone (especially politicians and lobbyists) involved in the making of agricultural laws!' The Midwest Book Review

'Viewers become educated on a variety of useful hemp products such as hemp based concrete, auto parts, food and textiles...A concise history of the positive relationship between hemp and humanity is given offering a better sense of proportion when broaching this controversial subject. The film is remarkably persuasive utilizing emotive appeals as well as objective information to enhance the legitimacy of hemp as product. Additionally, Bringing It Home contributes lively animation snippets that present concepts and make the film more accessible to a broader audience...This film would be most appropriate for any high school or college library acquiring resources on the environment, human health, and agriculture.' Andrew Koval, Educational Media Reviews Online

'Viewers will be hard pressed to find a downside to allowing legal hemp farming in the United States...Schools could make best use of the film's specific subject...by including discussion on environmental issues and lobbying processes, as well as thinking 'outside the box' about developing and marketing new products.' Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, School Library Journal